Space Marine 2 developer chimes in on whether it’s Warhammer 40k canon

Whereas Warhammer 40k’s roots are bedded deep within the tabletop gaming world, it’s however develop into some of the prolific videogame IPs of the fashionable period. There are some greats amongst them, together with Daybreak of Struggle and the unique Area Marine, however the middling reception to current releases like Darktide has left me extra skeptical of the model’s place in videogames than I’d like. Now, I’m pinning my hopes on the prodigal son’s return, which is more true than ever following our Area Marine 2 interview with inventive director Oliver Hollis-Leick throughout Gamescom 2023.

Let’s get this out of the way in which now: Space Marine 2 seems to be like a blast to play, making good use of developer Saber Interactive’s proprietary tech to have hordes of enemies swarm the display, simply ready so that you can rip and tear your approach via them. That mentioned, if you happen to’re like me, you’ll have one query in your thoughts: “are the Area Marine video games canon?”

Let’s begin by touring again to the traditional previous of 2011. Within the authentic Area Marine, you play as Titus, an Ultramarine and the Captain of the Second Firm. You and your squad are despatched to the Forge World of Graia to cease an Ork invasion led by the Warboss Grimskull. Via impeccable environmental design and weighty fight, the sport feels actually genuine, each as a Warhammer expertise and as an area marine energy fantasy. Nonetheless, regardless of that fantasy, the sport wraps up with members of the primary forged both lifeless, evil, or, within the case of Titus, marked as a heretic. It’s a bitter finish.

The canon elephant within the room right here is that there has by no means been point out of a Captain Titus in any official Warhammer literature, and it’s only with the arrival of Warhammer 40k Boltgun and a miniature launch that we’ve lastly seen him talked about over a decade after his introduction.

“Sure, Titus was by no means talked about within the official literature previous to this sport,” Hollis-Leick agrees. However, he says, “utilizing a means of extrapolation from what [Games Workshop] have publicly mentioned, if Titus is within the tabletop sport, meaning it’s canon, proper? I can’t inform you sure, however I’ll say it definitely seems to be that approach.” Even I, a Warhammer lore diehard, should agree when Hollis-Leick says “crucial factor is that the sport is enjoyable to play. It doesn’t matter what universe it’s set in.”

The expectations positioned on the group at Saber Interactive little doubt range wildly from participant to participant. For some, the sport’s lore and its place within the wider canon shall be a major concern, whereas others seemingly couldn’t care much less, with gameplay trumping all. For me, a mix of each is integral to Area Marine as a collection and in the end Warhammer 40k videogames on the whole. I can’t assist however really feel that Area Marine 2 is in good fingers and is shaping as much as be one thing particular. You’ll be capable of get your first hands-on look forward of the Space Marine 2 release date in the course of the upcoming beta. Whilst you wait, why not take a look at our lists of the best Warhammer games and space games on PC in 2023?